Panthers need to start strong

Wednesday

Sep 4, 2013 at 10:44 PM

If you are a fan of the Carolina Panthers, you are a patient person. The Panthers don't make the playoffs much, don't finish above .500 much, don't make a big splash in free agency, don't trade for anybody of note, and don't generally draft very well.

Jason Queen

If you are a fan of the Carolina Panthers, you are a patient person. The Panthers don't make the playoffs much, don't finish above .500 much, don't make a big splash in free agency, don't trade for anybody of note, and don't generally draft very well.The franchise has had its fair share of black eyes over the years. From Rae Carruth to Fred Lane, Carolina has spent some years making more headlines off the field than they do on it.But, it's Labor Day week. Every team is 0-0, and every team has its eyes set on the playoffs (well, except maybe the Jets, Chargers and a couple more). The Panthers swear they are primed for a playoff run, but forgive me for being cynical. They play in the same division with the Saints, who I think have a legitimate shot to return to the Super Bowl, and the Falcons, who plenty of people think have a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl run. It's hard for the Panthers to sniff the playoffs when they can't finish in the top three of their own division.Hope springs eternal, though. With realistic eyes, here is a look at what you can expect from your Carolina Panthers in the 2013 season:Weeks 1-3—Seattle is a very trendy pick to make a Super Bowl run this season, so that's a tough way to start the season. But, the Panthers' defense had a very good preseason. That will have to continue, and Carolina will have to hope for a 17-13 type game if they hope to beat the Seahawks. If they come away healthy, a trip to Buffalo and a visit from the New York Giants await. I like their chances to go 2-1 heading into the bye week.Weeks 5-7—Beaming with confidence, the schedule doesn't get much tougher here. Carolina has a very winnable trip to Arizona, then what should be a dogfight in Minnesota. That's followed by a visit from Saint Louis, who should be improved but should be beatable. I like Carolina to win two of these three games, sending them to the halfway point with a very respectable 6-2 record. Weeks 8-11—By far the toughest stretch of the schedule. Carolina opens NFC South play with a trip to Tampa Bay, a game that will be on Thursday night on NFL Network. Atlanta comes calling a week later, followed by a trip to San Francisco and a visit from New England. I think the Panthers are better than Tampa, but they always seem to lay an egg when they play in prime time. I don't think they can stop the other three offenses, so a four-game losing skid sends them to 6-6 and praying for a wild card spot.Weeks 12-15—This will actually be the most important month of the season for the Panthers. They have to win in Miami, then will have to beat Tampa Bay at home right after Thanksgiving. That leaves a trip to New Orleans and a visit from the New York Jets to complete this run. I think they lose to Tampa Bay and the Saints, putting them at 7-7 heading into the final two weeks of the season. At this point, they would need to win out and get some major help to clinch a wild card spot.Weeks 16-17—The Panthers finish the season about as tough as possible. The Saints come calling, with Carolina's playoff lives dangling by a thread, then they head to Atlanta for the season finale. I don't see them winning either of these games, sending them to yet another 7-9 season.Postseason—Tired of finishing 7-9, Jerry Richardson hired Ron Rivera to turn the Panthers around. He couldn't do it, so Black Monday leaves Carolina looking for yet another head coach.Elsewhere in the league, New Orleans beats San Francisco in the NFC championship, while the Texans beat the Broncos to earn a spot in the Super Bowl to finally get over the hump. Sean Payton celebrates his return from his year-long bounty suspension, and the Saints raise the Lombardi Trophy once again.I hope I'm wrong about the Panthers. I hope I'm wrong about the Saints. But, one thing's for sure: with the Broncos and Ravens kicking the season off tonight, football is back!Jason Queen can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 220, or jason.queen@the-dispatch.com.

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